Game-counter.



M. Y H. COLLINS. v

GAME COUNTER.

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PatentedJan. 3, .1911;

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M. H. COLLINS.

GAME COUNTER. urnmumx mum JULT'I, 1909.

980,208. Patented Jan.3, 1911.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN H. COLLINS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

GAME-COUNTER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN H. CoLLINs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Game-Counters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in game counters, and has for its object to provide an exceedingly simple and effective device of this character whereby the scores of games may be recorded.

The device as here shown is especially adapted for use in keeping the scores of base ball games, both sides of the device being provided with means for registering the different plays so that one side can be used for the home team and the opposite side for the visiting team.

To accomplish the above named objects, I provide a backing element, on which rest a number of disks, said disks then being covered with plates having apertures therein through which the numbers upon the disks may be seen.

WVith these ends in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail, referring by letter to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a face View of my improved game counter. Fig. 2, a longitudinal sectional view thereof. Fig. 3, a face view of a slightly modified form of my invention, and Fig. 4, a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

In carrying out my inventionas here embodied, A represents the backing element which consists of a circular plate preferably of metal, having a central opening a. On top of this is placed a compressible friction plate .13 which may be formed of pasteboard, heavy paper, rubber or the like, provided with a central opening 6. On this compressible plate rest a number of disks C, having their upper faces corrugated in proximity to their peripheries, as indicated by D, and on these disks are a series of numbers running from naught to nine or as much higher Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 7, 1909.

Patented Jan. 3, 1911.

Serial No. 506,300.

as desired, said numbers being indicated by the reference letter E. When these disks are in place they are covered by the face plate F, provided with a central opening f and having the concavo-convex portions G which act as casings for the disks G, each of said concavoconvex portions having an aperture H formed therein whereby a portion of the disks may be seen. On the concavo-convex portions, or in any other desirable part of the face plate may be placed dials and graduations, thus carrying out the idea of a counter, at the same time acting as a finish for the device.

Below and resting against the backing element A is a retaining plate I provided with a central opening 2', and having a number of larger openings J, in which rest disks K similar in all details to the disks C. Over this retaining plate is then placed a back plate L provided with a central opening Z and a number of apertures M around its periphery, said apertures adapted to rest in proximity to the disks so that the numbers on said disks may be seen through said apertures.

The face plate and back plate is each provided with a flange N so that when said plates are in position, the edges of these flanges will meet, thus forming a casing for the other parts. All of the parts are held together by a screw O passing through the central openings a, o, f, z' and Z and having a nut P threaded on the end thereof.

On the concavoconvex portions are impressed the words, hits, runs, errors, innings and outs, thus designating what play the disk within any one of said portions is to be indicated.

In the center portion of the face plate may be impressed the words home club, thus showing that the first side is to be used for indicating the plays of the home club, and on the reverse side or back plate may be impressed the words visiting club, and the words for the plays may be impressed in proximity to the apertures M.

Q is a ring movably secured to the stem R, which is fastened to the counter by means of a screw S, which passes through the plates and the stem R, thus the counter may be attached to a watch chain and carried in the pocket the same as a watch.

In my modified form of invention, I use as the backing element a watch T, having threads U formed upon its periphery. On the face of the watch is placed a face plate F having a flange N provided with internal threads V, which are adapted to engage the threads U upon the watch. The face plate F is made similar to the face plate F in my preferred form except that it has a central aperture IV, into which extends the shaft X of the hands and on this shaft are placed the hands Y, similar to those upon any watch, except that they must be small enough to fit within the aperture IV. The watch may be of any desired make, but preferably a stop watch, would be used, for then the hands could be placed at the top and when started would revolve until stopped, thus the time consumed for play ing the game could be told exactly by simply observing at what point the hands were stopped.

0n the back of the watch is placed a back plate L having a flange N provided with internal threads V, whereby said plate is threaded upon the watch. This plate is like the face plate F in my preferred form, that is, it has concavo-convex portions for the reception of the disks C, said disks resting upon the watch. In this form of my counter the regular watch stem Z will be used, and this is provided with a ring for attaching a chain thereto.

The operation of the device is as follows :-IVhen the game commences the watch is started if the device is of that form, then each play is registered upon one of the disks in the following manner: If the home club is at the bat the disk designated nothing is turned until the figure 1 shows, then if a player makes a hit, the disk designated by hits is turned until the correct number shows through the aperture. .Vhen a player makes a run or an error or should be put out, then one of the disks is turned until the correct number shows through its aperture, so that by a glance at the counter the plays that have been made can be seen at once. The plays made by the visiting team will be des ignated upon the reverse side of the counter by turning the disks on that side.

Of course I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction here shown, as these may be varied within the limits of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, is-

1. In a counter. a back plate, a face plate having a plurality of concavo-convex portions, each of which is provided with an aperture, and disks resting in said c0navoconvex portions, as specified.

2. In a counter, a backing element, a face plate having a number of concavo-c(mvex portions provided with apertures, disks mounted within said concavo-convex portions, a back plate provided with apertures, and non-pivoted disks mounted between the back plate and the backing element.

3. In a counter, a backing element, a face plate having a number of concave-convex portions provided with apertures, disks mounted within said concave-convex portions, a back plate provided with apertures, non-pivoted disks mounted between the back plate and the backing element, a screw passing through said parts, and a nut threaded thereon, for the purpose set forth.

at. In a game counter, a backing element having a central opening therein, a compressible friction plate having a central opening therein mounted on said backing element, a face plate having concave-convex portions provided with apertures and having a central opening therein, a flange formed with said plate, disks resting upon the friction plate within the concave-convex portions, a retaining plate having a central opening and provided with larger openings mounted beneath the backing element, disks resting in the larger openings of the retaining member, a back plate having a central opening and provided with apertures, a flange formed with said back plate, a screw passing through the central opening of the different members, and a nut threaded thereon for holding the parts in position.

5. In a game counter, a backing element having a central opening therein, a compressible friction plate having a central opening therein mounted on said backing element, a face plate having concavo-convex portions provided with apertures and having a central opening therein, a flange formed with said plate, disks having corrugations formed thereon and provided with numerals resting upon the friction plate within the concave-convex portions, :1 retaining plate having a central opening and provided with larger openings mounted beneath the backing element, disks having corrugations formed thereon and provided with nmnerals resting in the larger openings of the retaining member, a back plate having a central opening and provided with apertures, a flange formed with said back plate, a screw passing through the central openings of the different members, and a nut threaded thereon for holding the parts in position.

6. In a game counter, a backing element having a central opening therein, a comprcssible friction plate having a central opening therein mounted on said backing element, a face plate having concave-convex portions provided with apertures and having a central opening therein, a flange formed with said plate, disks having corrugations formed thereon and provided with numerals resting upon the friction plate within the concave-convex portions, a retaining plate having a central opening and provided with larger openings mounted beneath the back ing element, disks having corrugations formed thereon and provided with numerals resting in the larger openings of the retaining member, a back plate having a central opening and provided with apertures, a flange formed with said back plate, a screw passing through the central openings of the different members, a nut threaded thereon for holding the parts in position, a stem, a screw for securing the stem to the counter, and a ring movably attached to the stem whereby the counter may be attached to a watch chain or similar appliance.

7. In a game counter, a backing element, a face plate and a back plate detachably mounted upon the backing element, and nonpivoted disks rot-atably mounted between said plates and the backing element.

8. In a game counter, a backing element, a face plate provided with apertures mounted upon the backing element, a back plate provided with apertures also mounted upon the backing element, a plurality of non-pivoted rotatable disks mounted between the plates and the backing element so that a portion of their faces can be seen through the apertures.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto aflixed my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARTIN H. COLLINS.

WVitnesses:

BERNARD J. ARNDT, ALBERT W. I-IELLMUTH. 

